The number of new cars sold in the UK so far in 2014 has passed 1.5 million - a rise of over ten per cent on 2013. The rise means the industry has posted its 30th month of consecutive growth.

One of the quietest months in the automotive calendar, typically accounting for just three per cent of annual sales, a total of 72,163 new cars were registered in the UK in August. That's up by almost ten per cent on last year.

September's new car sales figures are expected to continue the current trend, buoyed by the recent number plate change, and should account for around 18 per cent of the year's total registrations.

Despite the success of the new car market, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - which compiles the data - says it expects the market to level out towards the end of the year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "New car registrations reached two-and-a-half years of consecutive monthly growth in August, as confident private and fleet customers continued to snap up enticing deals on a wealth of advanced new products.

"As the UK market starts to find its natural level, we expect to see the growth level off during coming months."